The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of human amniotic membrane transplantation on tissue adhesion after tenorrhapy in tenotomized Achilles tendon of the rabbit.

Sixteen hind legs of eight adult rabbits (body weight: 2.5-3.0 kg) were used. After tenotomy of the Achilles tendons, tenorrhaphies were performed. The right Achilles tendons were then covered with human amniotic membrane (experimentalgroup), as left uncovered (control group). Long leg casts were applied to both legs. Two rabbits were sacrificed after 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks respectively. Gross and histological examinations were made to identify differences between the two groups after Achilles tendonresection.

In the experimental group, it was discovered that inflammation of the tenorrhaphy site was suppressed at one week after the operation, but that at two weeks sites were more inflamed than in the control group. Inflammation in the experimental group tended to decrease after 3 weeks, and there was no significant difference between the groups at 4 weeks.

Tenorrhaphy with transplantation of the human amniotic membrane seems to have no significant effect on healing or on the prevention of adhesion.